Weekly Tidbits #1

Hello everyone! This week I'm starting a brand new series on Hello Jaa called Weekly Tidbits where I'll be talking about random stuff that happened that week. Sometimes I just have so many little things to share. For example, small hauls that are not worth making a full blog post on, useful information I found on the web, random plugs, life in general, behind the scenes photos, makeup and photography tips and tricks, and so on. Basically any random things I can think of will be included! I hope you enjoy and that you'll share with me some of the random things that happened in your week, too! :)

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II

-ONE-This week I started a brand new bottle of the giant-size (3.4 fl oz / 100 ml) Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II that I purchased from the airport during my flight back to Thailand. I first heard of this jumbo size from Anne at Linda.Libra.Loca so I made it my priority to hunt it down at the airport! I was also given a mini-size Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum with my purchase, too. :D

-TWO- I finally finished building a new lightbox! I was going to film the process but I decided not to because we couldn't find the same materials we used back in the US and had to make do with whatever we could find at where we live so the whole thing turned out to be a little more complicated than it's supposed to be. For example, we couldn't find a box big enough so we had to use strips of foam to make our own box! Then we had to reinforce it with more materials. I wouldn't want to confuse you with the way we built it but if you're looking for a simple step-by-step guide, here's a link I recommend you check it out.

-THREE-Before my move, I thought everything was going to be smooth and simple. I thought I'd just unpack, sleep and relax, set up my office, and resume my blogging schedule right away. In my mind life would be easy and non-stressful. LITTLE DID I KNOW! It's been almost a month and I am still not settled in! I have a backlog of reviews I need to finish that I am still so far behind. Then there are new things that I so desperately want to talk about that I'm afraid by the time I get to them, they will be ancient! LOL! Additionally, I also have other non-blog-related stuff to take care of. I have moved so many times in my life but this one gives me the worst headache! >.<

Songkran Festival, Pattya, Thailand 2015

-FOUR-Last Sunday I decided to join in on the fun of Songkran festival (I wasn't planning to, I mean hot sun, water, and crowds?! I'd normally run the other way but my boyfriend wanted to see it, LOL). Songkran is basically the Thai New Year and it happens to be in the hottest month of the year. How do we celebrate? By throwing water to each other using water cannons! It was so crazy, water shooting from everywhere, and no amount of sunscreen can protect you from getting sun tanned. LOL. I came home almost 2 shades darker than when I left!

Erasable pens

-FIVE- My most exciting find this week has to be these erasable gel pens! They write so well; the ink is dark, the flow is smooth, and yes, they are erasable! Just use the rubber end to erase and that's it! It doesn't leave any type of residue on the paper. No ink stain left behind, no scratches like when you use a traditional pen eraser. Not to mention they are so so cute! They are all black ink but you know me, they come in different caps so I had to buy them all. ;D

And that's a wrap for this week! I hope you're having a great weekend so far! Let me know in the comments whether you've enjoyed reading this post. I'd love to hear from all of you! :)

28 Comments

Hi Jaa! Thanks for the update. I’m sorry to read you’re struggling more with this move. Take your time and don’t stress yourself too much. We, your lovely readers and followers, will still be here by the time you’re all settled in… So just enjoy :)

Also, those erasable pen sound great! Like something I could use during exams lol xD

Hey Jaa, I like this new series! Have you considered just buying a light tent? Although I totally admire you making it yourself!

Sorry it’s taking longer to settle in this time but before you know it, you will forget you ever moved!

The water festival looks like fun! When I still lived in Poland and taught English as a second language there was an article about this festival in one of the textbooks and my students always thought it sounded really awesome!

I was thinking of buying a light tent but I couldn’t find one that’s big enough for my needs. :-/ Are you using one to take your pictures in? I wish all my blogger friends could join me in the water festival! It didn’t seem like fun in photos (in fact, I didn’t want to go in the first place!) but once you are “in” it, it’s crazy fun! :D

Erasable pens that’s dark and erases completely?! I have never seen that here (usually they’re not pigmented enough or erase only partially). I like this new series, keep it up! Moving is so stressful, hope it settles soon and I look forward to your reviews regardless of how “ancient” (I review ancient things all the time anyways hehe)

Yep! I’m still amazed at how well it erases! :D I think most people like seeing new things all the time (I do, too) but it’s just not feasible for me to do right now. Life gets in a way and blog posts get pushed and before you know it, oops, new collections! LOL

Hey Jaa, yay I loved this! So glad to hear you’re doing fine except for the little chaos you’ve had to deal with. That’s moving countries I guess! Very jealous of your 100ml ANR bottle! I definitely need to lay my hands on one next time I’m at an airport :)

They should send you a bottle considering how much money you’re making them! ;D I’m not going to even mention about the move anymore. LOL I’m just going to take it one day at a time. We just got our stuff a couple of days ago and it feels SO great to have all my makeup collection with me again! :D Can you imagine going on 2 months without seeing your stash?! Brutal! Haha

Love short “stories” like this. Glad you’re settling in, even though it’s taking you a month and maybe more… but you know, you’re STILL settling. And we nearly joined the Songkran festival but decided against it. Too much to do, too little time.

umm… i may need to go to makeup rehab! am i the only one who thought erasable eye gel liner pens at first?!? i like the series. i have a huge backlog of posts that i had planned to write while traveling but didn’t have time for. maybe alternate between backlog posts and new items? personally, i don’t mind reading reviews of old products. after all, not everyone buys when things first release! hmm… diy light box… sounds like bf’s next project!

Great new serie, Jaa! I’m so sorry to hear about all the chaos you’ve been through, but try to see it in a positive way. I can only imagine it to be difficult to move to another country – even one you’re familiar with! I really hope you settle down soon though, so you can actually relax and enjoy your time in Thailand to the fullest! ;) And wait, what? Erasable gel pens? I need those in my life! I’m such a stationary addict, you can’t imagine, lol.

We moved flats, and it was just 20 km distance. It was before Little Bean arrived, and I was already 5 months pregnant, so I focussed on the necessities and left the other boxes in storage.
And that´s where they still are.

I love you for including erasable pens as a notable event! A pen-loving gal after my own heart, Jaa! <3 You look so adorable at the festival! And girl, no rush on reviews! Sometimes the best thing is to review stuff regardless of it's new-ness, just whenever you get to it. Plus, that way you also avoid being part of the cray-cray when something new launches and it's all anyone's writing about for weeks! Moving to another country seems really overwhelming and you've managed to get tons of posts up AND keep BISC going! Much love and wishes for getting settled in!

I try to slow down a little bit and blog when I really have time now. The world is not going to end without a new post everyday on Hello Jaa. ;D Part of that is, it’s hard to set schedules when there is a pool that’s open 24 hours 2 floors up, a beach that takes a few minutes to walk to, many eating places, malls, and many other distractions, not including friends to see and families to visit! All the things that I missed doing when I was in the US! :D I do hope to get back into my usual routines eventually, though. And maybe then I can post more regularly. :)